Single Strap Fastening System

Abstract

A single strap fastening system is provided that can selectively fasten close and/or adjust a wearable article. The system may comprise two-sided fabric strap comprised of a first connectable fabric operable to releasably attach to a second connectable fabric of a wearable article. The system may also comprise a wearable article comprised of the second connectable fabric operable to releasably attach to a first connectable fabric of the two-sided strap. The first connectable fabric of the single fastening strap may be releasably coupled when joined to the second connectable fabric of the wearable article, thus fastening, closing and/or adjusting the wearable article.

Description

This U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/079,547, filed Sep. 17, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to systems for selectively fastening, closing and/or adjusting a wearable article with a single strap. In various embodiments, the single fastening strap of the present disclosure comprise a two-sided fabric strap with an outward-facing visible side and an inward-facing side that comprises a first connectable fabric. In various embodiments, a wearable article comprises a second connectable fabric operable to be releasably connected to the first connectable fabric to fasten, close and/or adjust the wearable article.

BACKGROUND

Fabric straps that fasten, close and/or adjust are functionally important to a wearable article, e.g. articles of apparel, hats, baseball caps, backpacks, jackets, etc. Fastening, closing, adjusting a wearable article provide benefits that include a secure fit and comfort. Known fabric strap fastening, closure and adjustment systems use two-strap systems with a first strap that fastens to a second strap thus fastening, closing and adjusting the wearable article. Two-strap systems are complex, bulky, slow and inefficient.

SUMMARY

There is an unmet need to provide a single strap fastening system that fastens, closes and/or adjusts a wearable article that is easier, faster and more efficient than known fastening systems. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure contemplate and provide systems for selectively fastening, closing and/or adjusting a wearable article with a single fastening strap. In various embodiments, a fabric strap has two sides with a visible external facing side, and an inward facing side when releasably coupled to a wearable article. In various embodiments, a fabric strap comprises a first connectable fabric. The first connectable fabric is operable on the inward-facing side of the fastening strap to attach to a second connectable fabric. Embodiments of the present disclosure also comprise a wearable article comprising the second connectable fabric, e.g. an article of clothing, hat, baseball cap, backpack, jacket. The fastening strap is releasably coupled and/or fastened when the first connectable fabric is joined to the second connectable fabric. The wearable article is releasably fastened, closed and/or adjusted with the single fastening strap.

In various embodiments, a wearable article is comprised of a second connectable fabric that comprises ten percent or more of the surface area of the wearable article operable to releasably couple, fasten, close and/or adjust to the first connectable fabric of the single fastening strap. In various embodiments, one end of the single fastening strap comprised of a first connectable fabric is fixed to the wearable article, with the opposite end operable to removably couple, fasten, close and/or adjust to the wearable article and the second connectable fabric. In various embodiments, the single fastening strap comprised of a first connectable fabric is separate and/or independent of the wearable article with both ends of the single fastening strap operable to releasably couple, fasten, close and/or adjust to the wearable article and the second connectable fabric. In various embodiments the single fastening strap comprised of a first connectable fabric is of any plurality of shapes and/or size to effectively and functionally fasten, close and/or adjust the wearable article and the second connectable fabric. In various embodiments, the single fastening strap comprised of a first connectable fabric is comprised of elastic and/or has elastic qualities of compression and elongation to effectively and functionally fasten, close and/or adjust the wearable article and the second connectable fabric.

This summary is neither intended nor should it be construed as being representative of the full extent and scope of the fastening fabric patch authentication and description system of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is set forth in various levels of detail in the Summary as well as in the attached drawings and the Detailed Description and no limitation as to the scope of the present invention is intended by either the inclusion or non-inclusion of elements or components. Additional aspects of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the Detailed Description, particularly when taken together with the drawings.

The above-described embodiments, wearable articleives, and configurations are neither complete nor exhaustive. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the invention are possible using, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.

The phrases “at least one,” “one or more,” and “and/or,” as used herein, are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B, or C,” “ at least one of A, B, and/or C,” “one more of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together.

The term “a” or “an” entity, as used herein, refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Accordingly, the terms “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof can be used interchangeably herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the Summary given above and the Detailed Description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of these embodiments. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein. Additionally, it should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale.

FIG. 1A is a side perspective of the single strap fastening system and wearable article, e.g., a baseball cap, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1B is a back perspective of the single strap fastening system and wearable article, e.g., a baseball cap, in an open and/or loose configuration according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1C is a back perspective of the single strap fastening system and wearable article, e.g., a baseball cap, in a closed, cinched and/or tightened configuration according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1D is an exploded view of the two-sided single fastening strap of the single strap fastening system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2A is a back perspective of the single strap fastening system and wearable article, e.g., a baseball cap, in an open and/or loose configuration according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2B is a back perspective of the single strap fastening system and wearable article, e.g., a baseball cap, with the single fastening strap in FIG. 2C releasably coupled.

FIG. 2C is an exploded view of the two-sided single fastening strap of the single strap fastening system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3A is an exploded view of the two-sided single fastening strap of the single strap fastening system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3B is a back perspective of the single strap fastening system and wearable article, e.g., a baseball cap, with the single fastening strap in FIG. 2C releasably coupled.

FIG. 4A is a side perspective of the single strap fastening system and wearable article, e.g., a baseball cap, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4B is a back perspective of the single strap fastening system and wearable article, e.g., a baseball cap, in an open and/or loose configuration according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4C is a back perspective of the single strap fastening system and wearable article, e.g., a baseball cap, in a closed, cinched and/or tightened configuration according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4D is an exploded view of the two-sided single fastening strap of the single strap fastening system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5A is an underside perspective of the single strap fastening system and wearable article, e.g., a baseball cap, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5B is a back perspective of the single strap fastening system and wearable article, e.g., a baseball cap, in an open and/or loose configuration according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5C is a back perspective of the single strap fastening system and wearable article, e.g., a baseball cap, in a closed, cinched and/or tightened configuration according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5D is an exploded view of the two-sided single fastening strap of the single strap fastening system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5E is an exploded view of the two-sided single fastening strap of the single strap fastening system inserted and/or sealed inside of the sweatband in wearable article 5A.

FIG. 6A is a back perspective of the single strap fastening system and wearable article, e.g., a backpack, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6B is an exploded view of the two-sided single fastening strap of the single strap fastening system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7A is a back perspective of the single strap fastening system and wearable article, e.g., a backpack, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7B is an exploded view of the two-sided single fastening strap of the single strap fastening system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A is a side perspective of the single strap fastening system 100 and wearable article 101 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated example FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, the wearable article 101 is a baseball cap. FIG. 1B is a back perspective of the single strap fastening system 100 and wearable article 101 in an open and/or loose configuration 102 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1C is a back perspective of the single strap fastening system 100 and wearable article 101 in a closed, cinched and/or tightened configuration 103 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1D is an exploded view of the two-sided single fastening strap 104 of the single strap fastening system 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The outward-facing side 105 and the inward-facing side 106 are depicted. The inward-facing side 106 comprises a first connectable fabric 107 to releasably couple, fasten, close and/or adjust to the second connectable fabric 108 of the wearable article 101. One end 109 of the single fastening strap 104 comprised of a first connectable fabric 107 is fixed 110, e.g., sewed, bonded, bound, etc., to the wearable article 101, with the opposite end 111 and its first connectable fabric 107 operable to removably couple, fasten, close and/or adjust to the wearable article 101 and the second connectable fabric 108.

Each of the first connectable fabric 107 and the second connectable fabric 108 is at least one of a hook fabric or a loop fabric. In various embodiments, the hook fabric comprises a hook composite plastic material. The hook fabric and the loop fabric are releasably coupled when brought together and uncoupled when pulled apart.

FIG. 2A is a back perspective of the single strap fastening system 100 and wearable article 101 in an open and/or loose configuration 102 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated example FIGS. 2A, 2B, the wearable article 101 is a baseball cap. FIG. 2B is a back perspective of the single strap fastening system 100 and wearable article 101 in a closed, cinched and/or tightened configuration 103 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2C is an exploded view of the two-sided single fastening strap 104 of the single strap fastening system 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The outward-facing side 105 and the inward-facing side 106 are depicted. The inward-facing side 106 comprises a first connectable fabric 107 to releasably couple, fasten, close and/or adjust to the second connectable fabric 108 of the wearable article 101. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the single fastening strap in FIG. 2C and 104 is a separate and/or independent fastening strap article 200 with a first connectable fabric 107 operable on both ends of the article 201. The separate and/or independent fastening strap 200 and its first connectable fabric 107 is operable to releasably couple, fasten, close and/or adjust, at both ends 201, to the wearable article 101 and the second connectable fabric 108 in FIG. 2B.

FIG. 3A is an exploded view of the two-sided single fastening strap 104 of the single strap fastening system 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The outward-facing side 105 and the inward-facing side 106 are depicted. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the single fastening strap 104 comprised of a first connectable fabric 107 is of any plurality of shapes and/or size to functionally fasten, close and/or adjust the wearable article 101 and the second connectable fabric 108. In the illustrated example FIG. 3A, the fastening strap 104 shape is a half-circle 300 and is depicted as a separate and/or independent fastening strap 200. The fastening strap in FIG. 3A, 300, 200, 104 and its first connectable fabric 107 releasably couples, fastens, closes and/or adjusts to the wearable article 101 and the second connectable fabric 108 in FIG. 3B. In the illustrated example FIG. 3B, the wearable article 101 is a baseball cap.

FIG. 4A is a side perspective of the single strap fastening system 100 and wearable article 101 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated examples FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, the wearable article 101 is a baseball cap. FIG. 4B is a back perspective of the single strap fastening system 100 and wearable article 101 in an open and/or loose configuration 102 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4C is a back perspective of the single strap fastening system 100 and wearable article 101 in a closed, cinched and/or tightened configuration 103 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4D is an exploded view of the two-sided single fastening strap 104 of the single strap fastening system 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The outward-facing side 105 and the inward-facing side 106 are depicted. The inward-facing side 106 comprises a first connectable fabric 107 to releasably couple, fasten, close and/or adjust to the second connectable fabric 108 of the wearable article 101. One end 109 of the single fastening strap 104 comprised of a first connectable fabric 107 is fixed 110, e.g., sewed, bonded, bound, etc., to the wearable article 101, with the opposite end 111 and its first connectable fabric 107 operable to removably couple, fasten, close and/or adjust to the wearable article 101 and the second connectable fabric 108. In the illustrated example the wearable article 101 in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C are depicted with a combination of a second connectable fabric 108 and a different non-connectable fabric, e.g., mesh fabric 400.

FIG. 5A is the underside perspective of the single strap fastening system 100 and wearable article 101 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated examples FIGS. 5A, 5D, 5E, the wearable article 101 is a baseball cap. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a baseball cap sweatband is depicted in FIG. 5B and 500. FIG. 5C is an exploded view of the two-sided single fastening strap 104 of the single strap fastening system 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The outward-facing side 105 and the inward-facing side 106 are depicted. The inward-facing side 106 comprises a first connectable fabric 107 to releasably couple, fasten, close and/or adjust to the second connectable fabric 108 of the wearable article 101. In the illustrated example in FIG. 5C the single fastening strap is comprised of elastic and/or has elastic qualities of compression and elongation 501. Returning to FIG. 5A, 5B, the single fastening strap 104 that is comprised of elastic and/or has elastic qualities of compression and elongation 501 is inserted into the baseball cap sweatband 500. One end 109 of the single fastening strap 104 comprised of a first connectable fabric 107 and comprised of elastic and/or has elastic qualities of compression and elongation 501, is fixed 110, e.g. sewed, bonded, bound, etc., to the wearable article 101, with the opposite end 111 and it's first connectable fabric 107 operable to removably couple, fasten, close and/or adjust to the wearable article 101 and the second connectable fabric 108. FIG. 5D is a back perspective of the single strap fastening system 100 and wearable article 101 in an open and/or loose configuration 102 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5E is a back perspective of the single strap fastening system 100 and wearable article 101 in a closed, cinched and/or tightened configuration 103 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6A is a back perspective of the single strap fastening system 100 and wearable article 101 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated example FIG. 6A, the wearable article 101 is a backpack with backpack shoulder straps 600. FIG. 6B is an exploded view of the two-sided single fastening strap 104 of the single strap fastening system 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The outward-facing side 105 and the inward-facing side 106 are depicted. The inward-facing side 106 comprises a first connectable fabric 107 to releasably couple, fasten, close and/or adjust to the second connectable fabric 108 of the wearable article 101. One end 109 of the single fastening strap 104 comprised of a first connectable fabric 107 is fixed 110, e.g. sewed, bonded, bound, etc., to the wearable article 101, with the opposite end 111 and it's first connectable fabric 107 operable to removably couple, fasten, close and/or adjust to the wearable article 101 and the second connectable fabric 108. In the illustrated example FIG. 6A, the single fastening strap 104 and its first connectable fabric 107 removably couples to the wearable article in FIG. 6A, 101 and its second connectable fabric 108 depicted on the backpack shoulder strap 600. The wearable article 101, 600 can be fastened, closed, and/or adjusted with the single fastening strap 104 and system 100.

FIG. 7A is a back perspective of the single strap fastening system 100 and wearable article 101 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated example FIG. 7A, the wearable article 101 is a backpack with backpack shoulder straps 600. FIG. 7B is an exploded view of the two-sided single fastening strap 104 of the single strap fastening system 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The outward-facing side 105 and the inward-facing side 106 are depicted. The single fastening strap in FIG. 7B and 104 is a separate and/or independent fastening strap article 200 with a first connectable fabric 107 operable on both ends of the article 201. The single fastening strap in FIG. 7B, 104 and its first connectable fabric 107 releasably couples, fastens, closes and/or adjusts to the second connectable fabric 108 of the wearable article 101, 600. In the illustrated example FIG. 7A, the single fastening strap 104 and its first connectable fabric 107 removably couples to the wearable article in FIG. 7A, 101 and its second connectable fabric 108 depicted on the backpack shoulder strap 600 and on the underside 700 of the wearable article 101. The wearable article 101, 600, 700 can be fastened, closed, and/or adjusted with the single fastening strap 104, 200 and system 100.

In various embodiments and in the illustrated examples shown in FIG. 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B, 3C, 4A, 4B, 4C, 5A, 5D, 5E, 6A, 7A a wearable article 101 comprises a second connectable fabric 108, and in other words, the connectable fabric 108 is formed, comprises, and/or is used to form the wearable article 101. For example, a fabric of a backpack is formed with and/or comprises the second connectable fabric 108 (the loop material) to releasably couple the first connectable fabric 107 (the hook material) of the single fastening strap 104. In another example, a portion of a jacket comprises the second connectable fabric 108 to releasably couple the first connectable fabric 107 (the hook material) of the fastening strap 104. In other examples, the wearable article 101 comprised of a second connectable fabric 108 is any surface of any wearable article 101 including but not limited to; articles of clothing, a baseball cap, a backpack, a jacket, pants, gloves, luggage, shoes, etc

In various embodiments and in the illustrated examples shown in FIG. 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B, 3C, 4A, 4B, 4C, 5A, 5D, 5E, 6A, 7A a wearable article 101 comprises a second connectable fabric 108 that comprises ten percent or more of the surface area of the wearable article 101 operable to effectively and releasably couple, fasten, close and/or adjust to the first connectable fabric 107 of the single fastening strap 104.

As stated previously, each of the first connectable fabric 107 and the second connectable fabric 108 of the various embodiments, figures and illustrations included herein, is at least one of a hook fabric or a loop fabric. In various embodiments, the hook fabric comprises a hook composite plastic material. The hook fabric and the loop fabric are releasably coupled when brought together and uncoupled when pulled apart.

Although the previous and following text sets forth a detailed description of numerous different embodiments, it should be understood that the detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment since describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims. To the extent that any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse the reader, and is not intended that such claim term be limited, by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations to those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Moreover, references made herein to “the present invention” or aspects thereof should be understood to mean certain embodiments of the present invention and should not necessarily be construed as limited all embodiments to a particular description. It is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Although the previous and following text sets forth a detailed description of numerous different embodiments, it should be understood that the detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment since describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims. To the extent that any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse the reader, and is not intended that such claim term be limited, by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations to those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Moreover, references made herein to “the present invention” or aspects thereof should be understood to mean certain embodiments of the present invention and should not necessarily be construed as limited all embodiments to a particular description. It is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A single strap fastening system that selectively fastens, closes and/or adjusts a wearable article, the system comprising;

a two-sided fabric strap; wherein the inward-facing side has a first connectable fabric operable to releasably attach to a second connectable fabric;

a wearable article comprised of a second connectable fabric operable to releasably attach to a first connectable fabric; wherein the second connectable fabric comprises ten percent or more of the surface area of the wearable article;

wherein the strap is releasably coupled to the wearable article when the first connectable fabric of the inward-facing side is joined to the second connectable fabric of the wearable article;

wherein the wearable article is larger than the strap.

2. The fabric patch system of claim 1, wherein the wearable article is at least one of a hat, baseball cap, helmet, backpack, jacket, vest, pants, gloves, headband, bag, luggage, shoes.

3. The single strap fastening system of claim 1, wherein the second connectable fabric comprises ten percent or more of the surface area of the wearable article.

4. The single strap fastening system of claim 1, wherein each of the first connectable fabric and the second connectable fabric is at least one of a hook fabric and a loop fabric.

5. The connectable hook fabric of claim 4 comprises a plastic composite material.

6. The single strap fastening system wherein one end of the two-sided strap is fixed, e.g. bonded, sewed, bound to the wearable article;

wherein the opposite end of the two-sided strap of claim 1 has a first connectable fabric on its inward-facing side operable to releasably attach to a second connectable fabric of a wearable article.

7. The single strap fastening system of claim 1, wherein the two-sided strap is an independent article;

wherein both ends of the two-sided strap has a first connectable fabric operable on its inward-facing side to releasably attach to a second connectable fabric of a wearable article.

8. The single strap fastening system, wherein the two-sided strap is of any shape, e.g. triangle, half-circle, circle, crescent, star, etc.;

wherein the inward-facing side has a first connectable fabric operable to releasable attach to a second connectable fabric of a wearable article of claim 1.

9. The single strap fastening system of claim 6, wherein the two-sided strap is of any shape, e.g. triangle, half-circle, circle, crescent, star, etc.;

wherein the inward-facing side has a first connectable fabric operable to releasable attach to a second connectable fabric of a wearable article.

10. The single strap fastening system of claim 7, wherein the two-sided strap is of any shape, e.g. triangle, half-circle, circle, crescent, star, etc.;

wherein the inward-facing side has a first connectable fabric operable to releasable attach to a second connectable fabric of a wearable article.

11. The single strap fastening system of claim 1, wherein the two-sided strap comprises an elastic fabric and/or material that has elastic qualities of compression and elongation;

wherein the inward-facing side has a first connectable fabric operable to releasable attach to a second connectable fabric of a wearable article.

12. The single strap fastening system of claim 1, wherein the two-sided strap is embedded and/or concealed into the wearable article, e.g. a baseball cap sweatband;

wherein one end of the two-sided strap is fixed, e.g. bonded, sewed, bound to the wearable article;

wherein the opposite end of the two-sided strap has a first connectable fabric on its inward-facing side operable to releasably attach to a second connectable fabric of a wearable article.

13. The single strap fastening system of claim 1, wherein the two-sided strap comprises a flexible rubber, plastic, synthetic fabric or composite fabric material.